A lot of people have HVAC installed within their home. An HVAC system helps your home’s temperature comfortable temperature. You will generally need a contractor to install it and maintain your unit. The following tips will give any homeowner the info they need to know about HVAC as well.
Before calling for help, know the system you have. Write down the make, model, and any maintenance history. This will enable you to give your chosen contractor any information they might need.
If your HVAC doesn’t seem to be working properly, do a tour of your house before you call in help. This will help the contractor determine what the problem is and how to fix it.
Check the whole house before you call for help. Determine which rooms are hotter or colder than they should be. This can help the contractor determine the problem areas quickly and fix the problem easily.
Turn the power off so you don’t get hurt or break something. Then, take the grill off, pull the blades out, and begin cleaning the unit and them gently.
Know what work you want done before you select an HVAC contractor. It is going to be hard to get a price estimate on the phone if the current system isn’t something they’ve seen. If you can’t explain anything to them, this will be even more difficult. So, have this information ready.
Don’t let grass clippings pile up against your outside unit. Aim your grass cuttings in a different direction away from your unit. This also applies when you are taking care of the leaves in the yard.
Clean your condenser’s fan blades and coils come spring. Always shut the power off before doing any work or cleaning on the unit. Additionally, remove leaves and any other debris from the outside condenser unit.
Put your outdoor units in places with shade.
You should clean your condenser fan’s blades and coils every spring. For safety, always turn the power off first. Then remove the grill, remove the blades and clean it from top to bottom gently.
Turn off any outdoor condensers you have when weather gets cold. This should be done when the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit.This simple tip will help keep the system working for many years to come.
Your outdoor HVAC units might suffer when your trees lose leaves. Clean the fan grill often when leaves are falling. The fan must not have anything in the way so that air can flow into it, and if it is clogged, you’ll have a lot of headaches eventually.
It is always a good idea to swap out single pane windows with ones that have double panes. This same effect also keeps warm air during the winter months.
Lubricate your fan condenser if it has oil ports. You’ll find these ports are covered with a metal or rubber cap. Look for an oil that is lightweight and then put about 10 drops inside the port. You don’t want to put in too much.
Look for air conditioner sizing calculators online to help you determine the size of unit is necessary for your home. Look in the manual to determine the manufacturer website for this information.
Your HVAC unit requires regular maintenance at least two times per each year. It’s best to have it checked before you turn it on for the summer and again for the winter. Even if you don’t notice anything wrong, you can check it out to figure out what the potential issues are.
Ask people that you know and family for contractor recommendations. People who have been happy with work they have had great service are usually willing to tell of it. This is also help you learn the names of companies that you should avoid.
You can keep energy costs in your home lower by choosing to have professional maintenance done on your HVAC unit. During a maintenance visit, professionals can help by inspecting the system’s motor, oil the different moving parts as well as check the system’s freon levels. Doing this simple task can ensure that your system will be running for years with no problem!
There are quite a few sites now that other customers can place their reviews. This is a good way to locate contractors that you wish to work and ones that are poor.
Did you know an AC unit can freeze? There are also occasional freezes in the drain line, which are often confused for plumbing leaks. If you see this, immediately put your thermostat on the fan setting to turn off your compressor. Get a professional to deal with this, even if you see the ice start melting because you turned the compressor off.
Are you thinking about having a new HVAC system? There are several things you must consider first. Systems have ratings according to how large an area they can effectively cool and heat. You are better off purchasing a bigger unit rather than purchasing one that is a bit too small.
Look for sizing calculators based on the air conditioner you have to figure out how big of a unit you need in your home. If you buy a unit that is too big, it won’t do an efficient job. Use the manual to determine what size is right for you.
Check the ducts to find any leaks if you you feel your unit seems to not be working efficiently. Once leaks have been fixed, the savings will be more than worth the hassle.
Find out how many years an HVAC company has been in business before you hire them. This gives you some history so that you can be sure the company is reliable. You will be taking a risk if you hire a newer contractor.
Figure out which direction your home faces in order to make your HVAC system can work better. If there is less heat in the home from sunlight, your AC will work less.
Checkout online reviews if you do not know which contractor to call for installation, maintenance or repair of your HVAC system. There are a lot of sites these days that let customers talk about their experiences with contractors. This is a good way to find decent people to hire.
If you hear a clicking noise coming from the HVAC unit, immediately start looking for any obstructions. Often it is being caused by debris that’s hitting the fans in the cooling system. Look carefully at it before calling in a technician.
If your current system isn’t working well enough, test out the ducts for leaks. Often, utility companies will test them free of charge. You’ll see the test pays for itself once all leaks are fixed.
Measure the area that requires air conditioner shopping.You can figure out the unit you need 20 BTU for each square foot. If you have a lot of rooms to keep cool, be sure to add their square footage together.
It is important that you know the measurements of the area you need to cool. Plan for 20 BTU of power in your air conditioner for each square foot that needs to be cooled. If you are cooling more than one room, sum their areas.
Ask a contractor about their experience.You need to verify they have the sort of experience needed to work on your particular system.
Pick out an HVAC business that is fast and knows what to do. A sign of a great company is one that arrives on time for their appointment. The tech will also know how to find the problem quickly. Once they are able to locate a problem, they should be able to fix it as fast as they can.
Always get some references from a contractor.
When determining the location of your air conditioning unit, think about which way the air flows. If you have to put the unit in a corner, use one that doesn’t blow into the wall.
Any HVAC contractor you hire should have an emergency number available to customers around the clock.They must be able to reach your home at any time, no matter what.
Always request references when you are considering a HVAC contractor. Did the homeowner get what they expected? Was it done on budget and on time? This will reduce your chances of hiring a scam artist.
Some contractors will attempt to overcharge you later for items like materials and other charges. Having a written contract can help avoid issues like this.
Always check out any references that are given to you by an HVAC contractor. Lots of folks take them at face value, but that is not always smart. It will only take you a few minutes to call and check someone out, so don’t hesitate to do that.
Cover your condenser when the winter time. This simple tip will extend the life of your condenser operating longer when not in use. Use the fan instead to avoid straining the unit.
When a quote is given, make sure to ask for a heat-loss calculation in addition to the price. They can figure out how may BTU will be required to keep your house comfortable. They should also count the number of doors and windows, check your insulation, and measure the amount of internal space in your home.
This will help you to figure out how many BTUs the BTU your system needs to have to keep a home comfortable.
Incredibly, two-thirds of homes have ducts that leak! These leaky ducts can account for up to one fourth of your total utility costs. Getting your ducts sealed is not expensive and isn’t hard. You can probably do it on your own and it will help you to save on things each year.
Consider have a programmable thermostat. This sort of device will help you money on your utility bill and give your unit needed rest.
Use a contractor that installs and uses Energy Star equipment. These systems meet strict efficiency guidelines set by the EPA. You will save on your electric bills if you purchase a unit with it.
Keep your HVAC system operating efficiently by cleaning the heating ducts. Look at the ducts to make sure they are in good shape. Damaged ducts increase your energy bill.
It is important to provide shelter for your condenser unit in cold weather. Try putting a cover on it that will help it to stay warm. Don’t use this unit if you’re working in temperatures below around 60 degrees because your system won’t work that well below temperatures like this.
Keep your condenser unit protected when it’s getting colder. This can be done by putting a thick cover on it.
Be sure that your HVAC system’s manual is easy to find. The manual will contain many useful tips and tricks specific to your particular unit, and it may prove essential if there is a serious problem. If you do not have a manual, you may be able to download one from the website of the manufacturer.
Make sure that you know where the owner’s manual is anytime the system is running. The information contained within this manual will help you out if you’re dealing with problems.
Always get written estimates for HVAC services. You need these estimates written. Knowing what each item costs is very important information. This can help you make sure you get good service. Compare various facets of potential work, not just price, but also things like how long it will take to get the job done. Avoid a contractor that bids really low because chances are service will be poor.
Be sure to ask for written from an HVAC estimates.It is important to get things in writing. There are many jobs that you have to get multiple estimates of the cost. This can ensure you get adequate service. Compare all of the estimates you are offered.
You can help your HVAC unit help you. It is important that the unit is properly installed and correctly maintained. Put this advice to good use so that you have minimal issues in the future.
